Okotoks

Diamond Valley residents could experience temporary water service interruptions as the crews begin Water line maintenance.  

The work will begin today (July 31) around 10:30 a.m. in the 1 Ave NE area of the Black Diamond community.   

The town reassures residents that interruptions to water service or silt in the water is a normal part of the maintenance process and not a cause for concern.  

Okotoks' newest outdoor recreational space is officially open.

On Wednesday, July 30, the Town of Okotoks held a grand opening ceremony for iitopatopa Park.

The day-use area, which was acquired by the Town in 2019, lies just east of Bill Robertson Park at 370068 40 Street East.

Another grizzly and its cub have caused a bear warning in Kananaskis.

On July 30, Alberta Parks issued a bear warning for the Highway 40 Day Use areas from Canoe Meadows to Barrier Boat Launch.

The warning includes Canoe Meadows Days Use and campground, Widowmaker Day Use, Widowmaker trail, Kananaskis Visitor Info Center Day Use, Barrier Dam Day Use, and the Barrier Boat Launch Day Use areas.

The grizzly bear and cub had been frequenting the area, eating the natural vegetation.

The Okotoks Dawgs 18U Black team has wrapped up a historic season.  

The season ended with a 60-5-1 record against non-JUCO teams and six elite tournament championships.  

The group featured 24 college commits, including 9 NCAA Division I signees.  

An Okotoks school will receive some funding to help add more classrooms.

On Wednesday (July 30), the Alberta government announced a $50-million investment to add 62 pre-made classrooms to schools in Alberta this autumn, on top of the $50 million investment made earlier in the year that saw an additional 47 new modular classrooms.

In total, the provincial government is investing in 109 modular classrooms, adding space for 2,725 students and relocating 575 others.

The Rowan House Society received a $15,000 donation from not-for-profit, the Big Hearted Mavericks, to support the organization's core programs.   

The funding was used to match a donation during the Rowan House Society Radiothon in March, but the official cheque presentation was made during the Battle of the Foothills.  

The M.D. of Willow Creek is in the final stages of updating the Land Use Bylaw.  

Work has been ongoing to update the bylaw since 2022.  

Through the process to adopt the draft bylaw, the town has completed preliminary consultation, which included open houses, videos, and a questionnaire.  

A judge is scheduled to rule today on whether to grant bail to three men facing terrorism charges in an alleged plot to forcibly seize land in the Quebec City area.

Quebec court Judge René de la Sablonnière heard evidence and arguments over three days.

Simon Angers-Audet, 24, Raphaël Lagacé, 25, and Marc-Aurèle Chabot, 24, face charges of facilitating a terrorist activity, and other charges related to the illegal storage of firearms and possession of explosives and prohibited devices.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Wednesday that Canada intends to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations in September, as long as the Palestinian Authority holds elections next year.

"Preserving a two-state solution means standing with all people who choose peace over violence or terrorism. And it means honouring their innate desire for peaceful coexistence," Carney told reporters on Parliament Hill.

He said Ottawa intends to officially recognize the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September.

Alberta's transportation minister says the province plans to learn from an Ontario court ruling that found a law seeking to remove some Toronto bike lanes unconstitutional.

Devin Dreeshen says Alberta will be watching the case with interest, especially since Ontario's government plans to appeal the ruling. 

Dreeshen says being the second province to go down the same path is helpful, as it gives Alberta the opportunity to analyze the "good and bad" parts of Ontario's legislation.